Center for Functional MRI In the Department of Radiology

Announcements 2016

December 21, 2016

We are pleased to inform you that the 3TW scanner has a new data transfer script that replaces gecopy, physiocopy, pcopy.pl, etc, making it easier for operators to transfer scan data to cfmri servers.

It's simple to use. Just open a terminal and type 'cfmricp'. It will show a list of scan sessions for the last 48 hours (labeled with a unique number). Operators can enter the session number and the script will automatically grab relevant files (e.g. P-files, dicom images, multiband calibration files, physio files) and transfer them to the user defined cfmri account/server along with a detailed data summary file.

Note that operators can continue to use the original data transfer scripts if needed.

For questions or problems, please contact David Shin.

December 19, 2016

To serve the needs of the research community the Center for Functional MRI will remain open during the official UCSD winter holiday closure from Monday, December 26, 2016 through Tuesday, January 3, 2017. During this period the CFMRI building will be accessible only by proximity card and a minimal number of staff will be available. Operators planning to scan during the holiday closure should make prior arrangements for building access and staff support as needed.

In case of emergency, please follow the emergency procedures posted on the wall of each control room. All other non-emergency problems should be reported through the Problem Reports system in Calpendo. Further information on Reporting a Technical Problem can be found at: http://fmri.ucsd.edu/Howto/3T/calpendohowto.html

While on-campus parking in non-reserved spaces is free during the holiday closure, please note that the CFMRI reserved parking spaces will still require a CFMRI parking permit. There are supplies of the parking permits at the front office window and in each control room.

We wish everyone a happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in 2017.

December 17, 2016

We are pleased to announce that the 3TW scanner is now equipped with IDEAL IQ, a pulse sequence and post processing suite that allows quantitative assessment of fat for the body and muscle imaging applications.

If you are interested in using this tool for your study, please consult the CFMRI technical team.

Additional product description can be found from this link.

October 17, 2016

We are pleased to inform you that the 3TW scanner upgrade has been completed successfully. In addition to the software upgrade, the 3TW scanner is now equipped with a next generation image reconstruction engine. This hardware upgrade will significantly improve data throughput, which will benefit all users.

Multiband users, in particular, will notice dramatic improvement in scan processes as time lags between multiband scans are eliminated. Also note that multiband users will no longer need to use RDS for data transfer. Instead, the image data will be saved directly on the scanner computer. Please schedule a few minutes of informal training with the CFMRI technical team prior to your first multiband scan so we can explain how the new process works.

September 07, 2016

The DV25 software upgrade for the 3TW scanner has been rescheduled for the week of 10/10 - 10/16. The 3TW scanner will be down starting at noon on the 10th and will be available for general use starting 10/17 after the morning QA.

For any questions or concerns, please contact cfmri@ucsd.edu.

August 29, 2016

Due to an unexpected delay in shipment, we are postponing our DV25 software upgrade which was scheduled during the week of September 5th. We are working closely with GE to confirm the new shipment date. Once finalized, we will notify you of the new upgrade date.

The 3TW scanner is now open for booking for the week (09/06 to 09/11) so please go ahead and use the time for your studies.

July 11, 2016

CFMRI has upgraded the fORP interface and button boxes (2-button, 4-button) in 3T East and West. Instructions on changing the output of the response devices are on the inside of the door to the cabinet that contains the fORP box and projector. Below is a summary of the directions.
Please contact Aaron Jacobson (ajacobson@ucsd.edu) if you have questions, or need assistance.

To Change Mode:

  • Push the Knob on the front of the fORP box
  • You will see “CHANGE MODES?” on the LCD display
  • Turn knob to “YES” (push knob to select)
  • Turn the knob to “MODE SELECT” (push knob to select)
  • Choose desired mode from the list (push knob to select)

Common Modes:

  • 002 = BYGRT (Corresponds to mode “0” (STANDARD) on the previous button box)
  • 003 = 12345 (Corresponds to mode “4” (NUMERIC) on the previous button box)

July 08, 2016

On May 4th, we sent you an E-update in regards to our software upgrade plan for the 3T scanners (see posting below)

This is another reminder that the 3T West software upgrade is scheduled for September 6th, the day after Labor Day.

If you are a 3T West user, please read and follow the instructions below:

  1. Backup your current 3T West protocols on a USB drive.

    We have noticed that many users have multiple protocols that were saved in the past but may no longer be used. To save space and minimize clutter, please identify these protocols (backup to your USB drive if needed) and remove them from the protocol list. Starting August, we will review the list and contact PIs if we suspect redundant and unused protocols under the PI's study.

  2. If your protocol uses non-stock GE sequences that are not developed by CFMRI, please notify us by the end of July so we can coordinate with you to obtain the updated sequences. Below is a list of projects that are most likely to need to contact us:

    * Projects in collaboration with the Multimodal Imaging Lab (MMIL)
    * Projects in collaboration with institution/organization outside UCSD
    * Multisite longitudinal studies

June 21, 2016

In addition to the regular headphones, the 3TW is now equipped with the Sensimetrics audio system that supports in-ear headphones suitable for use with the 32-channel Nova coil.

The system uses a pair of earbuds along with disposable tips. We have a few spare tips but generally you will need to bring your own, which can be purchased from here.

If you are interested in using the Sensimetrics system, please refer to the instructions below:

  1. Locate the earbuds inside a small black leather case in the 3TE Noah's cabinet
  2. Locate the audio system in the 3TW projector cabinet and turn the power on
  3. Connect the 3.5mm stereo cable attached to the system to the desired sound source (e.g. laptops, mp3 players, phones, etc.)
  4. In the magnet room, identify the BNC cables labeled 'SENSI Audio OUT' on the wall (the BNC cables merge into a single grey cable). IMPORTANT: Unwind the grey cable to ensure there is no loop!
  5. Attach the earbuds to the grey cable
  6. Provide the earbuds and the disposable tips to the subject

Note: When the Sensimetrics earbuds are in use, you will need to use the GE intercom system (unit on top of the keyboard) to maintain communication with the subject.

After you are done with your study, please make sure to place the earbuds back in Noah's cabinet and power off the main amplifier unit in the projector cabinet.

June 20, 2016

Due to increased usage, the 32-channel head coils used in 3T East and 3T West have been relocated from the locked cabinet in the console room to the unlocked receiver coil cabinet in the magnet room (on the same shelf as the 8-channel receiver).

June 17, 2016

CFMRI recently purchased an MR-safe walker for patients/participants with mobility issues. It is located in the 3T West magnet room. The walker can also be used in 3T East when needed. Please return it to its original location in 3T West when it is no longer in use.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at cfmri@ucsd.edu.

May 04, 2016

We are planning to upgrade software on both of our 3T scanners to the latest version supplied by GE (DV25). We expect this upgrade to improve system performance and support next generation imaging protocols and hardware.

Based on initial user feedback, we selected the week of September 12th, the week after Labor Day, to upgrade the 3T West scanner. The 3T East scanner will be upgraded later, most likely before the end of the calendar year.

In July, we will send further instructions on how users can prepare for the upgrade.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming DV25 software upgrades, please do not hesitate to contact us at cfmri@ucsd.edu.

January 27, 2016

On Saturday, January 30th, between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm, a new magnet will be installed at the W. M. Keck Building. During that time the CFMRI scan systems (3Ts and 7T), mock scanner and exam rooms will be unavailable.

For your safety, we ask that you do not enter the building during that time.

The CFMRI computer systems, including Calpendo, the CFMRI website, and data servers will be unaffected by the magnet installation.

We appreciate your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience.